adminHarare Bureau
TITUS Takundwa Chikerema, son of Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Marshal Perrance Shiri who died on Sunday, was buried yesterday afternoon in Musoni Village under Chief Mutekedza in Chikomba. Titus (21) died at Manyame Air Base Hospital after battling cancer for several years.
In his graveside speech, Defence Minister Cde Sydney Sekeramayi described Titus’ death as a loss to the Chikerema family and all who knew him. Cde Sekeramayi said Titus was a disciplined boy who was exemplary to his peers.
“He was a public relations expert par excellence in the Chikerema family,” he said. “Although the boy is gone too soon he leaves a trail of good deeds. He was a role model to his age mates.”
Air Marshal Shiri narrated his son’s battle with cancer since February 2009 when he was 16 years old and how he had taken him to Malaysia where he had four operations on his spine after being diagnosed with indifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma.
He said doctors also carried out tests and confirmed that there were no traces of the cancer and the family celebrated only for it to resurface after one and half years.
“In South Africa he had three other operations on the chest and started receiving chemotherapy treatment. We took him to South Africa for the fourth time where they did yet another operation in September this year and doctors said he should return later for his chemotherapy treatment to kill the cancer,” he said.
Air Marshal Shiri said his son’s health deteriorated last week and he rushed him to Manyame Air Base Hospital where he was treated and showed signs of recovering.
“On Sunday I was joking with him and he showed improvement and around 1pm we passed through the hospital with Minister Sekeramayi. He was having breathing problems before he died. This is how he battled with cancer until his death,” he said.
Air Marshal Shiri described his son as a hard worker and a well-behaved boy who loved farming.
He said his son was a popular young man who had established himself and interacted well with everyone. Air Marshal Shiri thanked Government for assistance in the treatment of Titus.
Chief Mutekedza also spoke glowingly about Titus and urged all Zimbabweans to uphold their cultural values and traditions despite being highly educated.
The funeral was attended by scores of people from all walks of life including Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde Ignatius Chombo, Central Intelligence Organisation director general, Brigadier Happyton Bonyongwe (Retired) and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.
Service chiefs present included Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga and his wife, Commander Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant General Philip Sibanda, Zimbabwe Prison Service Commander Major General Paradzai Zimondi (Rtd).
Other senior officials present included Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba and Defence Secretary Mr Martin Rushwaya.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter